To thrive in the classroom and in life, there are certain needs that every person has. Each of us needs to have close relationships with others, to feel valued in our communities, and to have a sense of control over our lives. Adults who do not participate in a classroom community in positive ways may be lacking in one or more important internal certainties. These four vital protections are called the Crucial Cs.

This reference document is adapted with permission from Responsibility in the Classroom: A Teacher’s Guide to Understanding and Motivating Students by Amy Lew and Betty Lou Bettner.